US20230063794A1 - Stapled triazole co-agonists of the glucagon and glp-1 receptors - Google Patents

Stapled triazole co-agonists of the glucagon and glp-1 receptors Download PDF

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US20230063794A1
US20230063794A1 US17/785,287 US202017785287A US2023063794A1 US 20230063794 A1 US20230063794 A1 US 20230063794A1 US 202017785287 A US202017785287 A US 202017785287A US 2023063794 A1 US2023063794 A1 US 2023063794A1
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pra
acid
peptide
another class
nle
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Elisabetta Bianchi
Qiaolin Deng
Songnian Lin
Federica Orvieto
Anandan Palani
Antonello Pessi
Tomi K. Sawyer
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Merck Sharp and Dohme LLC
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Merck Sharp and Dohme LLC
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Assigned to IRBM S.P.A. reassignment IRBM S.P.A. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: BIANCHI, ELISABETTA, ORVIETO, FEDERICA
Assigned to MERCK SHARP & DOHME CORP. reassignment MERCK SHARP & DOHME CORP. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: LIN, SONGNIAN, SAWYER, TOMI K., DENG, QIAOLIN, PALANI, ANANDAN, PESSI, ANTONELLA
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    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
    • A61K38/00—Medicinal preparations containing peptides
    • A61K38/16—Peptides having more than 20 amino acids; Gastrins; Somatostatins; Melanotropins; Derivatives thereof
    • A61K38/17—Peptides having more than 20 amino acids; Gastrins; Somatostatins; Melanotropins; Derivatives thereof from animals; from humans
    • A61K38/22—Hormones
    • A61K38/28—Insulins
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
    • A61K38/00—Medicinal preparations containing peptides
    • A61K38/16—Peptides having more than 20 amino acids; Gastrins; Somatostatins; Melanotropins; Derivatives thereof
    • A61K38/17—Peptides having more than 20 amino acids; Gastrins; Somatostatins; Melanotropins; Derivatives thereof from animals; from humans
    • A61K38/22—Hormones
    • A61K38/26—Glucagons
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61P—SPECIFIC THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITY OF CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS OR MEDICINAL PREPARATIONS
    • A61P3/00—Drugs for disorders of the metabolism
    • A61P3/08—Drugs for disorders of the metabolism for glucose homeostasis
    • A61P3/10—Drugs for disorders of the metabolism for glucose homeostasis for hyperglycaemia, e.g. antidiabetics
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C07—ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
    • C07K—PEPTIDES
    • C07K14/00—Peptides having more than 20 amino acids; Gastrins; Somatostatins; Melanotropins; Derivatives thereof
    • C07K14/435—Peptides having more than 20 amino acids; Gastrins; Somatostatins; Melanotropins; Derivatives thereof from animals; from humans
    • C07K14/575—Hormones
    • C07K14/605—Glucagons

Definitions

  • the present invention is related to stapled co-agonist peptides of the glucagon and GLP-1 receptors, and the use of these stapled GLP-1 receptor/GCG receptor co-agonists for treatment of metabolic disorders.
  • Pre-proglucagon is a 158 amino acid precursor polypeptide that is processed in different tissues to form a number of different proglucagon-derived peptides, including glucagon, glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), glucagon-like peptide-2 (GLP-2) and oxyntomodulin (OXM), that are involved in a wide variety of physiological functions, including glucose homeostasis, insulin secretion, gastric emptying, and intestinal growth, as well as the regulation of food intake.
  • GLP-1 glucagon-like peptide-1
  • GLP-2 glucagon-like peptide-2
  • OXM oxyntomodulin
  • Glucagon is a 29-amino acid peptide that corresponds to amino acids 33 through 61 of pre-proglucagon, while GLP-1 is produced as a 37-amino acid peptide that corresponds to amino acids 72 through 108 of pre-proglucagon.
  • GLP-1 (7-36) amide or GLP-1 (7-37) acid are biologically potent forms of GLP-1, that demonstrate essentially equivalent activity at the GLP-1 receptor.
  • hypoglycemia when blood glucose levels drop below normal, glucagon signals the liver to break down glycogen and release glucose, causing blood glucose levels to rise toward a normal level. Hypoglycemia is a common side effect of insulin therapy in patients with hyperglycemia (elevated blood glucose levels) due to diabetes. Thus, glucagon's most recognized role in glucose regulation is to counteract the action of insulin and maintain blood glucose levels.
  • GLP-1 has different biological activities compared to glucagon. Its actions include stimulation of insulin synthesis and secretion, inhibition of glucagon secretion, and inhibition of food intake. GLP-1 has been shown to reduce hyperglycemia in diabetics. Exendin-4, a peptide from lizard venom that shares about 50% amino acid identity with GLP-1, activates the GLP-1 receptor and likewise has been shown to reduce hyperglycemia in diabetics.
  • GLP-1 and exendin-4 may reduce food intake and promote weight loss, an effect that would be beneficial not only for diabetics but also for patients suffering from obesity.
  • Patients with obesity have a higher risk of diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, cardiovascular disease, and musculoskeletal diseases.
  • Glucagon is a peptide hormone structurally related to GLP-1 that is well recognized for its acute ability to increase blood glucose through stimulation of glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis (Jiang & Zhang, Am. J. Physio.l Endocrinol. Metab. 284: E671-E678 (2003)).
  • glucagon pharmacology characterized by increases in thermogenesis, satiety, lipolysis, fatty acid oxidation, and ketogenesis (Habegger et al., Nat. Rev. Endocrinol. 6: 689-697 (2010)).
  • Repeated administration of glucagon was first reported decades ago to yield improvements in rodent metabolism, accompanied with lower body weight (Salter, Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 8: 535-539 (1960)). Nonetheless, the inherent risk of hyperglycemia, especially in insulinresistant states such T2DM, has complicated the translation of these observations to human study.
  • the hormone oxyntomodulin (OXM, glucagon-37) is a posttranslational product of preproglucagon processing in the intestine and central nervous system (CNS) and is secreted from L-cells in the gut in response to food intake.
  • OXM has been implicated in the regulation of food intake and energy expenditure (Jarrouse et al., Endocrinol. 115: 102-105 (1984); Schjoldager et al., Eur. J. Clin. Invest., 18: 499-503 (1988)).
  • Central or peripheral administration of OXM in rats causes a decrease in short term food intake with minimal effects on gastric emptying (Dakin et al.
  • OXM peripheral administration of OXM dose-dependently inhibited both fast-induced and dark phase food intake, but unlike GLP-1, had no effect on gastric emptying. OXM also reduced levels of fasting ghrelin and increased c-fos immunoreactivity, in the arcuate nucleus (ARC). Repeated seven-day IP administration of OXM caused a reduction in the rate of body weight gain and adiposity in rats (See Dakin et al. Endocrinology, 145: 2687-2695 (2004)).
  • OXM glucagon
  • GCG glucagon
  • GLP-1 receptor GLP-1 receptor
  • exendin-4 but not OXM, regulates energy expenditure in mice.
  • OXM appears to be a weak agonist at the GLP-1 receptor, when used in pharmacological concentrations (See Baggio et al., Gastroenterol. 127: 546-58 (2004)).
  • OXM was also found to ameliorate glucose intolerance in mice fed a high fat diet (Dakin et al., Am. J. Physiol. Endocrinol. Metab. 294: E142-E147 (2008) and increase the intrinsic heart rate in mice independent of the GLP-1 receptor (Sowden et al., Am. J. Physiol. Regul. Integr. Comp. Physiol. 292: R962-R970 (2007). OXM has also been shown to differentially affect GLP-1 receptor beta-arrestin recruitment and signaling through Galpha (Jorgensen et al., J. Pharma. Exp. Therapeut.
  • the present invention provides stapled co-agonist peptides of the glucagon (GCG) receptor and the glucagon-like protein 1 (GLP-1) receptor, which have an a-helical conformation due to intramolecular ring formation between two peptide amino acids.
  • the alpha helical structure of the stapled peptides of the present invention results in an increase in physical stability due to decreased proteolytic degradation, and in a lower propensity to self-associate to form ⁇ -sheets via hydrogen bonding resulting in a decrease in fibril formation and interpeptide aggregation.
  • the peptides of the present invention are useful for the treatment of metabolic diseases or disorders, such as but not limited to, diabetes (e.g., type 1 diabetes, Type 2 diabetes, or gestational diabetes), non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), and/or obesity.
  • diabetes e.g., type 1 diabetes, Type 2 diabetes, or gestational diabetes
  • NAFLD non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
  • NASH non-alcoholic steatohepatitis
  • obesity obesity
  • the present invention provides stapled peptide co-agonists of the glucagon (GCG) receptor and the glucagon-like protein 1 (GLP-1) receptor that have the amino acid sequences provided below.
  • the GCG receptor/GLP-1 receptor co-agonist peptides of the present invention comprise the amino acid sequence of native human glucagon
  • the peptide contains at one Nle( ⁇ N 3 ) and one pra.
  • the azide of Nle( ⁇ N 3 ) and the alkyne of pra cyclize to form a triazole containing ring, or the azide of Peg 3 N 3 Ala and the alkyne of pra cyclize to form a triazole containing ring.
  • the azide of Nle( ⁇ N 3 ) and the alkyne of pra cyclize to form a triazole containing ring.
  • the azide of Peg 3 N 3 Ala and the alkyne of pra cyclize to form a triazole containing ring.
  • the GCG receptor/GLP-1 receptor co-agonist peptides of the present invention comprise the amino acid sequence of native human glucagon (SEQ ID NO:1) wherein Tyrosine at X 10 is replaced with is Lysine, or Lysine conjugated to a fatty acid; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
  • the GCG receptor/GLP-1 receptor co-agonist peptides of the present invention comprise the amino acid sequence of native human glucagon (SEQ ID NO:1) wherein X 30 is absent; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
  • the GCG receptor/GLP-1 receptor co-agonist peptides of the present invention comprise the amino acid sequence of native human glucagon (SEQ ID NO:1) with up to five additional amino acid substitutions are selected from:
  • the GCG receptor/GLP-1 receptor co-agonist peptides of the present invention comprise the amino acid sequence of native human glucagon (SEQ ID NO:1) with up to four additional amino acid substitutions are selected from:
  • the present invention provides a peptide comprising the amino acid sequence
  • X 10 is Lysine, or Lysine conjugated to a fatty acid. In another class of this embodiment, X 10 is Lysine conjugated to a fatty acid.
  • X 10 is Lysine conjugated to a fatty diacid.
  • X 10 is Lysine, Lysine conjugated to a fatty acid by a gamma-glutamic acid-gamma-glutamic acid linker, or Lysine conjugated to a fatty diacid via a gamma-glutamic acid-gamma-glutamic acid linker.
  • the fatty diacid at position 10 comprises a C14, C15, C16, C17, C18, C19, or C20 fatty diacid
  • the fatty acid at position 10 comprises a C14, C16, C17, C18, C19, or C20 fatty acid.
  • the fatty diacid at position 10 comprises a C14, C15, C16, C17, C18, C19, or C20 fatty diacid. In another class of this embodiment, the fatty diacid comprises a C16 or C18 fatty diacid. In another class of this embodiment, the fatty diacid comprises a C18 fatty diacid. In another class of this embodiment, the fatty diacid comprises a C16 fatty diacid.
  • the fatty acid at position 10 comprises a C14, C16, C17, C18, C19, or C20 fatty acid. In another class of this embodiment, the fatty acid comprises a C16 or C18 fatty acid. In another class of this embodiment, the fatty acid comprises a C18 fatty acid. In another class of this embodiment, the fatty acid comprises a C16 fatty acid.
  • X 10 is Lysine, or Lysine conjugated to a fatty acid.
  • X 10 is Lysine, or Lysine conjugated to a fatty acid via a gamma-glutamic acid-gamma-glutamic acid linker.
  • X 10 is Lysine or Lysine conjugated to a C16 fatty acid via a gamma-glutamic acid-gamma-glutamic acid linker.
  • X 10 is Lysine
  • X 10 is Lysine conjugated to a fatty acid via a gamma-glutamic acid-gamma-glutamic acid linker.
  • X 10 is Lysine conjugated to a C18 fatty acid via a gamma-glutamic acid-gamma-glutamic acid linker.
  • X 10 is Lysine conjugated to a C16 fatty acid via a gamma-glutamic acid-gamma-glutamic acid linker.
  • X 2 is alpha-aminoisobutyric acid. In another class of this embodiment, X 2 is D-Serine.
  • X 16 is alpha-aminoisobutyric acid, Alanine, Glutamic acid, pra or Acb. In another class of this embodiment, X 16 is alpha-aminoisobutyric acid, or Alanine. In another class of this embodiment, X 16 is alpha-aminoisobutyric acid. In another class of this embodiment, X 16 is Alanine. In another class of this embodiment, X 16 is Glutamic acid. In another class of this embodiment, X 16 is pra. In another class of this embodiment, X 16 is Acb.
  • X 17 is Arginine. In another class of this embodiment, X 17 is pra.
  • X 20 is Glutamine. In another class of this embodiment, X 20 is Nle( ⁇ N 3 ). In another class of this embodiment, X 20 is pra.
  • X 21 is Aspartic acid. In another class of this embodiment, X 21 is Nle( ⁇ N 3 ).
  • X 24 is Glutamine. In another class of this embodiment, X 24 is Nle( ⁇ N 3 ). In another class of this embodiment, X 24 is pra. In another class of this embodiment, X 24 is Acb.
  • X 27 is Leucine. In another class of this embodiment, X 27 is Methionine. In another class of this embodiment, X 27 is Norleucine. In another class of this embodiment, X 27 is L-Methionine sulphone.
  • X 30 is absent. In another class of this embodiment, X 30 is Lysine linked at the C-terminus to gamma-Glutamic acid.
  • Nle( ⁇ N 3 ) and pra cyclize to form a triazole containing ring.
  • Peg 3 N 3 Ala and pra cyclize to form a triazole containing ring.
  • the peptide contains at one Nle( ⁇ N 3 ) and one pra.
  • the azide of Nle( ⁇ N 3 ) and the alkyne of pra cyclize to form a triazole containing ring, or the azide of Peg 3 N 3 Ala and the alkyne of pra cyclize to form a triazole containing ring.
  • the azide of Nle( ⁇ N 3 ) and the alkyne of pra cyclize to form a triazole containing ring.
  • the azide of Peg 3 N 3 Ala and the alkyne of pra cyclize to form a triazole containing ring.
  • the peptide includes a protecting group that is joined to the C-terminal carboxy group of the peptide.
  • the peptide does not include a protecting group that is joined to the C-terminal carboxy group.
  • the peptide has the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, or 28.
  • GCG/GLP-1 receptor co-agonist peptides have the structure as shown in Table 1.
  • the present invention provides a peptide comprising the amino acid sequence
  • X 10 is Lysine. In another class of this embodiment, X 10 is Lysine conjugated to a fatty acid.
  • X 10 is Lysine, or Lysine conjugated to a fatty acid via a gamma-glutamic acid-gamma-glutamic acid linker.
  • X 10 is Lysine
  • X 10 is Lysine conjugated to a fatty acid via a gamma-glutamic acid-gamma-glutamic acid linker.
  • X 10 is Lysine conjugated to a C16 or C18 fatty acid via a gamma-glutamic acid-gamma-glutamic acid linker.
  • X 10 is Lysine conjugated to a C18 fatty acid via a gamma-glutamic acid-gamma-glutamic acid linker.
  • X 10 is Lysine or Lysine conjugated to a C16 fatty acid via a gamma-glutamic acid-gamma-glutamic acid linker.
  • X 2 is alpha-aminoisobutyric acid. In another class of this embodiment, X 2 is D-Serine.
  • X 16 is alpha-aminoisobutyric acid, Alanine, Glutamic acid, pra or Acb. In another class of this embodiment, X 16 is alpha-aminoisobutyric acid, or Alanine. In another class of this embodiment, X 16 is alpha-aminoisobutyric acid. In another class of this embodiment, X 16 is Alanine. In another class of this embodiment, X 16 is Glutamic acid. In another class of this embodiment, X 16 is pra. In another class of this embodiment, X 16 is Acb.
  • X 17 is Arginine. In another class of this embodiment, X 17 is pra.
  • X 20 is Glutamine. In another class of this embodiment, X 20 is Nle( ⁇ N 3 ). In another class of this embodiment, X 20 is pra.
  • X 21 is Aspartic acid. In another class of this embodiment, X 21 is Nle( ⁇ N 3 ).
  • X 24 is Glutamine. In another class of this embodiment, X 24 is Nle( ⁇ N 3 ). In another class of this embodiment, X 24 is pra. In another class of this embodiment, X 24 is Acb.
  • X 27 is Leucine. In another class of this embodiment, X 27 is Methionine. In another class of this embodiment, X 27 is Norleucine. In another class of this embodiment, X 27 is L-Methionine sulphone.
  • X 28 is Aspartic acid. In another class of this embodiment, X 28 is Nle( ⁇ N 3 ). In another class of this embodiment, X 28 is pra.
  • X 30 is absent. In another class of this embodiment, X 30 is Lysine linked at the C-terminus to gamma-Glutamic acid.
  • Nle( ⁇ N 3 ) and pra cyclize to form a triazole containing ring.
  • Peg 3 N 3 Ala and pra cyclize to form a triazole containing ring.
  • the peptide contains at one Nle( ⁇ N 3 ) and one pra.
  • the azide of Nle( ⁇ N 3 ) and the alkyne of pra cyclize to form a triazole containing ring, or the azide of Peg 3 N 3 Ala and the alkyne of pra cyclize to form a triazole containing ring.
  • the azide of Nle( ⁇ N 3 ) and the alkyne of pra cyclize to form a triazole containing ring.
  • the azide of Peg 3 N 3 Ala and the alkyne of pra cyclize to form a triazole containing ring.
  • the peptide includes a protecting group that is joined to the C-terminal carboxy group of the peptide.
  • the peptide does not include a protecting group that is joined to the C-terminal carboxy group.
  • the peptide has the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, or 28.
  • GCG/GLP-1 receptor co-agonist peptides have the structure as shown in Table 1.
  • the present invention provides a peptide comprising the amino acid sequence
  • X 2 is alpha-aminoisobutyric acid. In another embodiment of the present invention, X 2 is D-Serine.
  • X 10 is Lysine. In another class of this embodiment, X 10 is Lysine conjugated to a gamma-Glutamic acid-gamma Glutamic acid-C16.
  • X 16 is alpha-aminoisobutyric acid. In another embodiment, X 16 is Alanine.
  • X 27 is Leucine. In another class of this embodiment, X 27 is Norleucine.
  • the azide of Nle( ⁇ N 3 ) and the alkyne of pra cyclize to form a triazole containing ring.
  • the peptide includes a protecting group that is joined to the C-terminal carboxy group of the peptide.
  • the peptide does not include a protecting group that is joined to the C-terminal carboxy group.
  • the present invention provides a peptide consisting of the amino acid sequence
  • X 10 is Lysine, or Lysine conjugated to a fatty acid. In another class of this embodiment, X 10 is Lysine. In another class of this embodiment, X 10 is Lysine conjugated to a fatty acid.
  • X 10 is Lysine conjugated to a fatty diacid.
  • X 10 is Lysine, Lysine conjugated to a fatty acid by a gamma-glutamic acid-gamma-glutamic acid linker, or Lysine conjugated to a fatty diacid via a gamma-glutamic acid-gamma-glutamic acid linker.
  • the fatty diacid at position 10 comprises a C14, C15, C16, C17, C18, C19, or C20 fatty diacid
  • the fatty acid at position 10 comprises a C14, C16, C17, C18, C19, or C20 fatty acid.
  • the fatty diacid at position 10 comprises a C14, C15, C16, C17, C18, C19, or C20 fatty diacid. In another class of this embodiment, the fatty diacid comprises a C16 or C18 fatty diacid. In another class of this embodiment, the fatty diacid comprises a C18 fatty diacid. In another class of this embodiment, the fatty diacid comprises a C16 fatty diacid.
  • the fatty acid at position 10 comprises a C14, C16, C17, C18, C19, or C20 fatty acid. In another class of this embodiment, the fatty acid comprises a C16 or C18 fatty acid. In another class of this embodiment, the fatty acid comprises a C18 fatty acid. In another class of this embodiment, the fatty acid comprises a C16 fatty acid.
  • X 10 is Lysine, or Lysine conjugated to a fatty acid.
  • X 10 is Lysine, or Lysine conjugated to a fatty acid via a gamma-glutamic acid-gamma-glutamic acid linker.
  • X 10 is Lysine or Lysine conjugated to a C16 fatty acid via a gamma-glutamic acid-gamma-glutamic acid linker.
  • X 10 is Lysine
  • X 10 is Lysine conjugated to a fatty acid via a gamma-glutamic acid-gamma-glutamic acid linker.
  • X 10 is Lysine conjugated to a C16 or C18 fatty acid via a gamma-glutamic acid-gamma-glutamic acid linker.
  • X 10 is Lysine conjugated to a C18 fatty acid via a gamma-glutamic acid-gamma-glutamic acid linker.
  • X 10 is Lysine conjugated to a C16 fatty acid via a gamma-glutamic acid-gamma-glutamic acid linker.
  • X 2 is alpha-aminoisobutyric acid. In another class of this embodiment, X 2 is D-Serine.
  • X 16 is alpha-aminoisobutyric acid, Alanine, Glutamic acid, pra or Acb. In another class of this embodiment, X 16 is alpha-aminoisobutyric acid, or Alanine. In another class of this embodiment, X 16 is alpha-aminoisobutyric acid. In another class of this embodiment, X 16 is Alanine. In another class of this embodiment, X 16 is Glutamic acid. In another class of this embodiment, X 16 is pra. In another class of this embodiment, X 16 is Acb.
  • X 17 is Arginine. In another class of this embodiment, X 17 is pra.
  • X 20 is Glutamine. In another class of this embodiment, X 20 is Nle( ⁇ N 3 ). In another class of this embodiment, X 20 is pra.
  • X 21 is Aspartic acid. In another class of this embodiment, X 21 is Nle( ⁇ N 3 ).
  • X 24 is Glutamine. In another class of this embodiment, X 24 is Nle( ⁇ N 3 ). In another class of this embodiment, X 24 is pra. In another class of this embodiment, X 24 is Acb.
  • X 27 is Leucine. In another class of this embodiment, X 27 is Methionine. In another class of this embodiment, X 27 is Norleucine. In another class of this embodiment, X 27 is L-Methionine sulphone.
  • X 28 is Aspartic acid. In another class of this embodiment, X 28 is Nle( ⁇ N 3 ). In another class of this embodiment, X 28 is pra.
  • X 30 is absent. In another class of this embodiment, X 30 is Lysine linked at the C-terminus to gamma-Glutamic acid.
  • Nle( ⁇ N 3 ) and pra cyclize to form a triazole containing ring.
  • Peg 3 N 3 Ala and pra cyclize to form a triazole containing ring.
  • the peptide contains at one Nle( ⁇ N 3 ) and one pra.
  • the azide of Nle( ⁇ N 3 ) and the alkyne of pra cyclize to form a triazole containing ring, or the azide of Peg 3 N 3 Ala and the alkyne of pra cyclize to form a triazole containing ring.
  • the azide of Nle( ⁇ N 3 ) and the alkyne of pra cyclize to form a triazole containing ring.
  • the azide of Peg 3 N 3 Ala and the alkyne of pra cyclize to form a triazole containing ring.
  • the peptide includes a protecting group that is joined to the C-terminal carboxy group of the peptide.
  • the peptide does not include a protecting group that is joined to the C-terminal carboxy group.
  • the peptide has the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, or 28.
  • the present invention provides a peptide consisting of the amino acid sequence
  • the fatty acid at position 10 comprises a C14, C16, C17, C18, C19, or C20 fatty acid. In another class of this embodiment, the fatty acid comprises a C16 or C18 fatty acid. In another class of this embodiment, the fatty acid comprises a C18 fatty acid. In another class of this embodiment, the fatty acid comprises a C16 fatty acid.
  • X 10 is Lysine. In another class of this embodiment, X 10 is Lysine conjugated to a fatty acid.
  • X 10 is Lysine, or Lysine conjugated to a fatty acid via a gamma-glutamic acid-gamma-glutamic acid linker.
  • X 10 is Lysine
  • X 10 is Lysine conjugated to a fatty acid via a gamma-glutamic acid-gamma-glutamic acid linker.
  • X 10 is Lysine or Lysine conjugated to a C16 or C18 fatty acid via a gamma-glutamic acid-gamma-glutamic acid linker.
  • X 10 is Lysine conjugated to a C18 fatty acid via a gamma-glutamic acid-gamma-glutamic acid linker.
  • X 10 is Lysine or Lysine conjugated to a C16 fatty acid via a gamma-glutamic acid-gamma-glutamic acid linker.
  • X 10 is Lysine conjugated to a C16 fatty acid via a gamma-glutamic acid-gamma-glutamic acid linker.
  • X 2 is alpha-aminoisobutyric acid. In another class of this embodiment, X 2 is D-Serine.
  • X 16 is alpha-aminoisobutyric acid, Alanine, Glutamic acid, pra or Acb. In another class of this embodiment, X 16 is alpha-aminoisobutyric acid, or Alanine. In another class of this embodiment, X 16 is alpha-aminoisobutyric acid. In another class of this embodiment, X 16 is Alanine. In another class of this embodiment, X 16 is Glutamic acid. In another class of this embodiment, X 16 is pra. In another class of this embodiment, X 16 is Acb.
  • X 20 is Glutamine. In another class of this embodiment, X 20 is Nle( ⁇ N 3 ). In another class of this embodiment, X 20 is pra.
  • X 24 is Glutamine. In another class of this embodiment, X 24 is Nle( ⁇ N 3 ). In another class of this embodiment, X 24 is pra. In another class of this embodiment, X 24 is Acb.
  • X 27 is Leucine. In another class of this embodiment, X 27 is Methionine. In another class of this embodiment, X 27 is Norleucine. In another class of this embodiment, X 27 is L-Methionine sulphone.
  • X 28 is Aspartic acid. In another class of this embodiment, X 28 is Nle( ⁇ N 3 ). In another class of this embodiment, X 28 is pra.
  • Nle( ⁇ N 3 ) and pra cyclize to form a triazole containing ring.
  • Peg 3 N 3 Ala and pra cyclize to form a triazole containing ring.
  • the peptide contains at one Nle( ⁇ N 3 ) and one pra.
  • the azide of Nle( ⁇ N 3 ) and the alkyne of pra cyclize to form a triazole containing ring, or the azide of Peg 3 N 3 Ala and the alkyne of pra cyclize to form a triazole containing ring.
  • the azide of Nle( ⁇ N 3 ) and the alkyne of pra cyclize to form a triazole containing ring.
  • the azide of Peg 3 N 3 Ala and the alkyne of pra cyclize to form a triazole containing ring.
  • the peptide includes a protecting group that is joined to the C-terminal carboxy group of the peptide.
  • the peptide does not include a protecting group that is joined to the C-terminal carboxy group.
  • the peptide has the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, or 28.
  • GCG/GLP-1 receptor co-agonist peptides have the structure as shown in Table 1.
  • the present invention provides a peptide consisting of the amino acid sequence
  • X 2 is alpha-aminoisobutyric acid. In another embodiment of the present invention, X 2 is D-Serine.
  • X 10 is Lysine. In another class of this embodiment, X 10 is Lysine conjugated to a gamma-Glutamic acid-gamma Glutamic acid-C16.
  • X 16 is alpha-aminoisobutyric acid. In another embodiment, X 16 is Alanine.
  • X 24 is Glutamine. In another class of this embodiment, X 24 is Nle( ⁇ N 3 ). In another class of this embodiment, X 24 is pra. In another class of this embodiment, X 24 is Acb.
  • X 27 is Leucine. In another class of this embodiment, X 27 is Norleucine.
  • the azide of Nle( ⁇ N 3 ) and the alkyne of pra cyclize to form a triazole containing ring.
  • the peptide includes a protecting group that is joined to the C-terminal carboxy group of the peptide.
  • the peptide does not include a protecting group that is joined to the C-terminal carboxy group.
  • the present invention further provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising a peptide having the amino acid sequence
  • X 10 is Lysine, or Lysine conjugated to a fatty acid. In another class of this embodiment, X 10 is Lysine. In another class of this embodiment, X 10 is Lysine conjugated to a fatty acid.
  • X 10 is Lysine conjugated to a fatty diacid.
  • X 10 is Lysine, Lysine conjugated to a fatty acid by a gamma-glutamic acid-gamma-glutamic acid linker, or Lysine conjugated to a fatty diacid via a gamma-glutamic acid-gamma-glutamic acid linker.
  • the fatty diacid at position 10 comprises a C14, C15, C16, C17, C18, C19, or C20 fatty diacid
  • the fatty acid at position 10 comprises a C14, C16, C17, C18, C19, or C20 fatty acid.
  • the fatty diacid at position 10 comprises a C14, C15, C16, C17, C18, C19, or C20 fatty diacid. In another class of this embodiment, the fatty diacid comprises a C16 or C18 fatty diacid. In another class of this embodiment, the fatty diacid comprises a C18 fatty diacid. In another class of this embodiment, the fatty diacid comprises a C16 fatty diacid.
  • the fatty acid at position 10 comprises a C14, C16, C17, C18, C19, or C20 fatty acid. In another class of this embodiment, the fatty acid comprises a C16 or C18 fatty acid. In another class of this embodiment, the fatty acid comprises a C18 fatty acid. In another class of this embodiment, the fatty acid comprises a C16 fatty acid.
  • X 10 is Lysine, or Lysine conjugated to a fatty acid.
  • X 10 is Lysine, or Lysine conjugated to a fatty acid via a gamma-glutamic acid-gamma-glutamic acid linker.
  • X 10 is Lysine or Lysine conjugated to a C16 fatty acid via a gamma-glutamic acid-gamma-glutamic acid linker.
  • X 10 is Lysine conjugated to a fatty acid via a gamma-glutamic acid-gamma-glutamic acid linker.
  • X 10 is Lysine conjugated to a C16 or C18 fatty acid via a gamma-glutamic acid-gamma-glutamic acid linker.
  • X 10 is Lysine conjugated to a C18 fatty acid via a gamma-glutamic acid-gamma-glutamic acid linker.
  • X 10 is Lysine conjugated to a C16 fatty acid via a gamma-glutamic acid-gamma-glutamic acid linker.
  • X 2 is alpha-aminoisobutyric acid. In another class of this embodiment, X 2 is D-Serine.
  • X 16 is alpha-aminoisobutyric acid, Alanine, Glutamic acid, pra or Acb. In another class of this embodiment, X 16 is alpha-aminoisobutyric acid, or Alanine. In another class of this embodiment, X 16 is alpha-aminoisobutyric acid. In another class of this embodiment, X 16 is Alanine. In another class of this embodiment, X 16 is Glutamic acid. In another class of this embodiment, X 16 is pra. In another class of this embodiment, X 16 is Acb.
  • X 17 is Arginine. In another class of this embodiment, X 17 is pra.
  • X 20 is Glutamine. In another class of this embodiment, X 20 is Nle( ⁇ N 3 ). In another class of this embodiment, X 20 is pra.
  • X 21 is Aspartic acid. In another class of this embodiment, X 21 is Nle( ⁇ N 3 ).
  • X 24 is Glutamine. In another class of this embodiment, X 24 is Nle( ⁇ N 3 ). In another class of this embodiment, X 24 is pra. In another class of this embodiment, X 24 is Acb.
  • X 27 is Leucine. In another class of this embodiment, X 27 is Methionine. In another class of this embodiment, X 27 is Norleucine. In another class of this embodiment, X 27 is L-Methionine sulphone.
  • X 28 is Aspartic acid. In another class of this embodiment, X 28 is Nle( ⁇ N 3 ). In another class of this embodiment, X 28 is pra.
  • X 30 is absent. In another class of this embodiment, X 30 is Lysine linked at the C-terminus to gamma-Glutamic acid.
  • Nle( ⁇ N 3 ) and pra cyclize to form a triazole containing ring.
  • Peg 3 N 3 Ala and pra cyclize to form a triazole containing ring.
  • the peptide contains at one Nle( ⁇ N 3 ) and one pra.
  • the azide of Nle( ⁇ N 3 ) and the alkyne of pra cyclize to form a triazole containing ring, or the azide of Peg 3 N 3 Ala and the alkyne of pra cyclize to form a triazole containing ring.
  • the azide of Nle( ⁇ N 3 ) and the alkyne of pra cyclize to form a triazole containing ring.
  • the azide of Peg 3 N 3 Ala and the alkyne of pra cyclize to form a triazole containing ring.
  • the peptide includes a protecting group that is joined to the C-terminal carboxy group of the peptide.
  • the peptide does not include a protecting group that is joined to the C-terminal carboxy group.
  • the peptide has the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, or 28.
  • the present invention further provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising a peptide having the amino acid sequence
  • the fatty acid at position 10 comprises a C14, C16, C17, C18, C19, or C20 fatty acid. In another class of this embodiment, the fatty acid comprises a C16 or C18 fatty acid. In another class of this embodiment, the fatty acid comprises a C18 fatty acid. In another class of this embodiment, the fatty acid comprises a C16 fatty acid.
  • X 10 is Lysine. In another class of this embodiment, X 10 is Lysine conjugated to a fatty acid.
  • X 10 is Lysine, or Lysine conjugated to a fatty acid via a gamma-glutamic acid-gamma-glutamic acid linker.
  • X 10 is Lysine conjugated to a fatty acid via a gamma-glutamic acid-gamma-glutamic acid linker.
  • X 10 is Lysine or Lysine conjugated to a C16 or C18 fatty acid via a gamma-glutamic acid-gamma-glutamic acid linker.
  • X 10 is Lysine conjugated to a C16 or C18 fatty acid via a gamma-glutamic acid-gamma-glutamic acid linker.
  • X 10 is Lysine conjugated to a C18 fatty acid via a gamma-glutamic acid-gamma-glutamic acid linker.
  • X 10 is Lysine or Lysine conjugated to a C16 fatty acid via a gamma-glutamic acid-gamma-glutamic acid linker.
  • X 10 is Lysine conjugated to a C16 fatty acid via a gamma-glutamic acid-gamma-glutamic acid linker.
  • X 2 is alpha-aminoisobutyric acid. In another class of this embodiment, X 2 is D-Serine.
  • X 16 is alpha-aminoisobutyric acid, Alanine, Glutamic acid, pra or Acb. In another class of this embodiment, X 16 is alpha-aminoisobutyric acid, or Alanine. In another class of this embodiment, X 16 is alpha-aminoisobutyric acid. In another class of this embodiment, X 16 is Alanine. In another class of this embodiment, X 16 is Glutamic acid. In another class of this embodiment, X 16 is pra. In another class of this embodiment, X 16 is Acb.
  • X 17 is Arginine. In another class of this embodiment, X 17 is pra.
  • X 20 is Glutamine. In another class of this embodiment, X 20 is Nle( ⁇ N 3 ). In another class of this embodiment, X 20 is pra.
  • X 21 is Aspartic acid. In another class of this embodiment, X 21 is Nle( ⁇ N 3 ).
  • X 24 is Glutamine. In another class of this embodiment, X 24 is Nle( ⁇ N 3 ). In another class of this embodiment, X 24 is pra. In another class of this embodiment, X 24 is Acb.
  • X 27 is Leucine. In another class of this embodiment, X 27 is Methionine. In another class of this embodiment, X 27 is Norleucine. In another class of this embodiment, X 27 is L-Methionine sulphone.
  • X 28 is Aspartic acid. In another class of this embodiment, X 28 is Nle( ⁇ N 3 ). In another class of this embodiment, X 28 is pra.
  • X 30 is absent. In another class of this embodiment, X 30 is Lysine linked at the C-terminus to gamma-Glutamic acid.
  • Nle( ⁇ N 3 ) and pra cyclize to form a triazole containing ring.
  • Peg 3 N 3 Ala and pra cyclize to form a triazole containing ring.
  • the peptide contains at one Nle( ⁇ N 3 ) and one pra.
  • the azide of Nle( ⁇ N 3 ) and the alkyne of pra cyclize to form a triazole containing ring, or the azide of Peg 3 N 3 Ala and the alkyne of pra cyclize to form a triazole containing ring.
  • the azide of Nle( ⁇ N 3 ) and the alkyne of pra cyclize to form a triazole containing ring.
  • the azide of Peg 3 N 3 Ala and the alkyne of pra cyclize to form a triazole containing ring.
  • the peptide includes a protecting group that is joined to the C-terminal carboxy group of the peptide.
  • the peptide does not include a protecting group that is joined to the C-terminal carboxy group.
  • the peptide has the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, or 28.
  • GCG/GLP-1 receptor co-agonist peptides have the structure as shown in Table 1.
  • the present invention providesprovides a pharmaceutical composition comprising a peptide having the amino acid sequence
  • X 2 is alpha-aminoisobutyric acid. In another embodiment of the present invention, X 2 is D-Serine.
  • X 10 is Lysine. In another class of this embodiment, X 10 is Lysine conjugated to a gamma-Glutamic acid-gamma Glutamic acid-C16.
  • X 16 is alpha-aminoisobutyric acid. In another embodiment, X 16 is Alanine.
  • X 27 is Leucine. In another class of this embodiment, X 27 is Norleucine.
  • the azide of Nle( ⁇ N 3 ) and the alkyne of pra cyclize to form a triazole containing ring.
  • the peptide includes a protecting group that is joined to the C-terminal carboxy group of the peptide.
  • the peptide does not include a protecting group that is joined to the C-terminal carboxy group.
  • GCG/GLP-1 receptor co-agonist peptides within the scope of the invention are disclosed in Table 1.
  • the present invention further includes compositions comprising or consisting of one or more of the peptides shown in Table 1 and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
  • ⁇ -amino acid or simply “amino acid” refers to a molecule containing both an amino group and a carboxyl group bound to a carbon, which is designated the ⁇ -carbon, attached to a side chain (R group) and a hydrogen atom and may be represented by the formula shown for (R) and (S) ⁇ -amino acids
  • L-amino acids have an (S) configuration except for cysteine, which has an (R) configuration, and glycine, which is achiral.
  • Suitable ⁇ -amino acids for the all-D configuration peptides disclosed herein include only the D-isomers of the naturally-occurring amino acids and analogs thereof, as well as non-naturally occurring amino acids prepared by organic synthesis or other metabolic routes except for ⁇ , ⁇ -disubstituted amino acids, which may be L, D, or achiral.
  • amino acid as used herein, is intended to include amino acid analogs.
  • D amino acids are denoted by the superscript “D” (e.g., D Leu) and L amino acids by “L” (e.g., L-Leu) or no L identifier (e.g., Leu).
  • ⁇ , ⁇ -disubstituted amino acid refers to a molecule or moiety containing both an amino group and a carboxyl group bound to the a-carbon that is attached to two natural or non-natural amino acid side chains, or combination thereof. Exemplary ⁇ , ⁇ -disubstituted amino are shown below. These ⁇ , ⁇ -disubstituted amino acids comprise a side chain with a terminal olefinic reactive group.
  • the co-agonist peptides of the present invention may be conjugated to an ⁇ , ⁇ -dicarboxylic acid comprising an aliphatic chain of 14 to 20 methylene groups (fatty diacid) wherein one end of the molecule is the proximal end and the other end is the distal end and wherein the proximal end and the distal end both have a carboxyl (COOH) group.
  • an ⁇ , ⁇ -dicarboxylic acid comprising an aliphatic chain of 14 to 20 methylene groups (fatty diacid) wherein one end of the molecule is the proximal end and the other end is the distal end and wherein the proximal end and the distal end both have a carboxyl (COOH) group.
  • the fatty diacid may be represented by the structure HO 2 C(CH 2 ) n CO 2 H, wherein n is 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, or 18 to provide fatty diacids Tetradecanedioic acid, Hexadecanedioic acid, Heptadecanedioic acid, Octadecanedioic acid, Nonadecanedioic acid, and Eicosanedioic acid, respectively.
  • the aforementioned fatty diacids have the following structures
  • the acid functionality at the proximal end of the fatty diacid is conjugated to the amino group of a linker in a C(O)—NH linkage and the acid functionality at the distal end of the fatty diacid is a free carboxyl group (COOH).
  • COOH carboxyl group
  • the COOH group at the distal end helps confer a longer half-life to the co-agonist peptide by its ability to non-covalently bind to serum albumin, a known carrier for fatty acids in serum.
  • the COOH group enhances duration of action as it provides a better non-covalent interaction with serum albumin than peptides that have been acylated using a fatty acid, which bind serum albumin less efficiently and form a less stable non-covalent interaction with the serum albumin.
  • the co-agonist peptides of the present invention may also be conjugated to a carboxylic acid comprising an aliphatic chain of 14 to 20 methylene groups (fatty acid) wherein one end of the molecule is the proximal end and the other end is the distal end and wherein the proximal end or the distal end has a carboxyl (COOH) group.
  • the fatty acid may be represented by the structure HO 2 C(CH 2 ) n CH 3 , wherein n is 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, or 18 to provide fatty acids Tetradecanoic acid, Hexadecanoic acid, Heptadecanoic acid, Octadecanoic acid, Nonadecanoic acid, and Eicosanoic acid, respectively.
  • the fatty acid may have one of the following structures
  • the GCG/GLP-1 receptor co-agonist peptide is further conjugated to a fatty acid at position 10 of the peptide.
  • the fatty acid may be represented by the structure HO 2 C(CH 2 ) n wherein n is 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, or 19.
  • K( ⁇ E ⁇ E-fatty acid) wherein the linker is ⁇ E ⁇ E and the fatty acid component comprises C14, C16, C17, C18, C19, or C20 is represented by
  • n 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, or 14, respectively, and the wavy lines represent the bonds between adjacent amino acids in the co-agonist peptide sequence.
  • n 9 and the wavy lines represent the bonds between adjacent amino acids in the peptide sequence.
  • n 9 and the wavy lines represent the bonds between adjacent amino acids in the peptide sequence.
  • the stapled GCG/GLP-1 receptor co-agonist peptides of the present invention have measurable activity at the glucagon receptor and/or the GLP-1 receptor.
  • the co-agonist peptides disclosed herein may have anywhere from at least about 1% (including at least about 1.5%, 2%, 5%, 7%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 75%, 100%, 125%, 150%, 175%) to about 200% or higher activity at the GLP-1 receptor relative to native GLP-1 and anywhere from at least about 1% (including about 1.5%, 2%, 5%, 7%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 75%, 100%, 125%, 150%, 175%, 200%, 250%, 300%, 350%, 400%, 450%) to about 500% or higher activity at the glucagon receptor relative to native glucagon.
  • the co-agonist peptides described herein exhibit no more than about 100%, 1000%, 10,000%, 100,000%, or 1,000,000% of the activity of native glucagon at the glucagon receptor. In some embodiments, the co-agonist peptides described herein exhibit no more than about 100%, 1000%, 10,000%, 100,000%, or 1,000,000% of the activity of native GLP-1 at the GLP-1 receptor.
  • a co-agonist peptide may exhibit at least 10% of the activity of native glucagon at the glucagon receptor and at least 50% of the activity of native GLP-1 at the GLP-1 receptor, or at least 40% of the activity of native glucagon at the glucagon receptor and at least 40% of the activity of native GLP-1 at the GLP-1 receptor, or at least 60% of the activity of native glucagon at the glucagon receptor and at least 60% of the activity of native GLP-1 at the GLP-1 receptor.
  • the present invention further provides a method for treating a patient for metabolic disease comprising administering the patient an effective amount of the peptide of any one of the aforementioned peptides to treat the metabolic disease in the patient.
  • the present invention further provides method for treating a patient for metabolic disease comprising administering the patient an effective amount of the composition of the aforementioned compositions to treat the metabolic disease in the patient.
  • the metabolic disease is diabetes, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), or obesity.
  • NAFLD non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
  • NASH non-alcoholic steatohepatitis
  • the diabetes is Type I diabetes, Type II diabetes, or gestational diabetes.
  • the patient has more than one metabolic disease, for example, diabetes and NASH, NAFLD, or obesity; obesity and NASH or NAFLD; diabetes, NASH, and obesity; diabetes, NAFLD, and obesity; or diabetes and obesity.
  • metabolic disease for example, diabetes and NASH, NAFLD, or obesity; obesity and NASH or NAFLD; diabetes, NASH, and obesity; diabetes, NAFLD, and obesity; or diabetes and obesity.
  • the present invention further provides for the use of any one of the aforementioned peptides for manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of metabolic disease.
  • the present invention further provides for the use of any one of the aforementioned compositions for manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of metabolic disease.
  • the metabolic disease is diabetes, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), or obesity.
  • NAFLD non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
  • NASH non-alcoholic steatohepatitis
  • the diabetes is Type I diabetes, Type II diabetes, or gestational diabetes.
  • the medicament is for treatment of more than one metabolic disease, for example, diabetes and NASH, NAFLD, or obesity; obesity and NASH or NAFLD; diabetes, NASH, and obesity; diabetes, NAFLD, and obesity; or diabetes and obesity.
  • metabolic disease for example, diabetes and NASH, NAFLD, or obesity; obesity and NASH or NAFLD; diabetes, NASH, and obesity; diabetes, NAFLD, and obesity; or diabetes and obesity.
  • the C-terminal protecting group may be an amide or ester.
  • the carboxylic acid of the C-terminal amino acid is replaced with a charge-neutral group, such as an amide or ester.
  • compositions comprising a co-agonist peptide and administering to the patient or individual an effective amount of a composition comprising an insulin or insulin analog to treat the metabolic disease in the patient or individual.
  • the composition comprising the co-agonist peptide is administered at a time prior to the time the composition comprising the insulin or insulin analog is administered. In another aspect, the composition comprising the insulin or insulin analog is administered at a time prior to the time the composition comprising the co-agonist peptide is administered. In a further still aspect, the composition comprising the co-agonist peptide is administered at the same time as the composition comprising the insulin or insulin analog is administered.
  • the insulin analog is insulin detemir, insulin glargine, insulin levemir, insulin glulisine, or insulin lispro.
  • the metabolic disease is diabetes, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), or obesity.
  • NAFLD non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
  • NASH non-alcoholic steatohepatitis
  • the diabetes is Type I diabetes, Type II diabetes, or gestational diabetes.
  • the patient has more than one metabolic disease, for example, diabetes and NASH, NAFLD, or obesity; obesity and NASH or NAFLD; diabetes, NASH, and obesity; diabetes, NAFLD, and obesity; or diabetes and obesity.
  • metabolic disease for example, diabetes and NASH, NAFLD, or obesity; obesity and NASH or NAFLD; diabetes, NASH, and obesity; diabetes, NAFLD, and obesity; or diabetes and obesity.
  • the present invention further provides a composition comprising any one of the aforementioned peptides; an insulin or insulin analog; and, a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
  • the present invention further provides for the use of a composition comprising any one of the aforementioned peptides; an insulin or insulin analog; and, a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier for the treatment of a metabolic disease.
  • the metabolic disease is diabetes, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), or obesity.
  • the diabetes is Type I diabetes, Type II diabetes, or gestational diabetes.
  • the metabolic disease is diabetes, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), or obesity.
  • the diabetes is Type I diabetes, Type II diabetes, or gestational diabetes.
  • the term “pharmaceutically acceptable carrier” includes any carrier suitable for administering to an individual, for example any of the standard pharmaceutical carriers, including but not limited to a phosphate buffered saline solution, water, emulsions such as an oil/water or water/oil emulsion, and various types of wetting agents.
  • the term also encompasses any of the agents approved by a regulatory agency of the U.S. Federal government or listed in the U.S. Pharmacopeia for use in animals, including humans.
  • “pharmaceutically acceptable carrier” means a non-toxic material that does not interfere with the effectiveness of the biological activity of the active ingredient(s), approved by a regulatory agency of the Federal or a state government or listed in the U.S.
  • carrier refers to a diluent, adjuvant, excipient, or vehicle with which the therapeutic is administered and includes, but is not limited to such sterile liquids as water and oils. The characteristics of the carrier will depend on the route of administration.
  • salts of compounds that retain the biological activity of the parent compound, and which are not biologically or otherwise undesirable. Many of the compounds disclosed herein are capable of forming acid and/or base salts by virtue of the presence of amino and/or carboxyl groups or groups similar thereto.
  • Pharmaceutically acceptable base addition salts can be prepared from inorganic and organic bases. Salts derived from inorganic bases, include by way of example only, sodium, potassium, lithium, ammonium, calcium and magnesium salts. Salts derived from organic bases include, but are not limited to, salts of primary, secondary and tertiary amines.
  • pharmaceutically acceptable salt further includes all acceptable salts such as acetate, lactobionate, benzenesulfonate, laurate, benzoate, malate, bicarbonate, maleate, bisulfate, mandelate, bitartrate, mesylate, borate, methylbromide, bromide, methylnitrate, calcium edetate, methylsulfate, camsylate, mucate, carbonate, napsylate, chloride, nitrate, clavulanate, N-methylglucamine, citrate, ammonium salt, dihydrochloride, oleate, edetate, oxalate, edisylate, pamoate (embonate), estolate, palmitate, esylate, pantothenate, fumarate, phosphate/diphosphate, gluceptate, polygalacturonate, gluconate, salicylate, glutamate, stearate, glycollyl
  • treating includes prophylaxis of the specific disorder or condition, or alleviation of the symptoms associated with a specific disorder or condition and/or preventing or eliminating said symptoms.
  • treating diabetes will refer in general to altering glucose blood levels in the direction of normal levels and may include increasing or decreasing blood glucose levels depending on a given situation.
  • peptide encompasses a chain of 3 or more amino acids and typically less than 100 amino acids, wherein the amino acids are naturally occurring or coded or non-naturally occurring or non-coded amino acids.
  • Non-naturally occurring amino acids refer to amino acids that do not naturally occur in vivo but which, nevertheless, can be incorporated into the peptide structures described herein.
  • Non-coded refers to an amino acid that is not an L-isomer of any of the following 20 amino acids: Ala, Cys, Asp, Glu, Phe, Gly, His, He, Lys, Leu, Met, Asn, Pro, Gln, Arg, Ser, Thr, Val, Trp, Tyr.
  • Coded refers to an amino acid that is an L-isomer of any of the following 20 amino acids: Ala, Cys, Asp, Glu, Phe, Gly, His, He, Lys, Leu, Met, Asn, Pro, Gin, Arg, Ser, Thr, Val, Trp, Tyr.
  • the peptides and variant peptides described herein are about the same length as SEQ ID NO: 1 (which is 29 amino acids in length), e.g. 25-35 amino acids in length.
  • Exemplary lengths include 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, or 50 amino acids in length.
  • polypeptides and proteins typically have a polymer length that is greater than that of “peptides.”
  • amino acid modification refers to (i) a substitution or replacement of an amino acid of SEQ ID NO: 1 with a different amino acid (naturally-occurring or coded or non-coded or non-naturally-occurring amino acid), (ii) an addition of an amino acid (naturally-occurring or coded or non-coded or non-naturally-occurring amino acid), to SEQ ID NO: 1 or (iii) a deletion of one or more amino acids of SEQ ID NO: 1.
  • amino acid “modification” refers to an insertion, deletion or substitution of one amino acid with another.
  • the amino acid substitution or replacement is a conservative amino acid substitution, e.g., a conservative substitution of the amino acid at one or more of positions 2, 5, 7, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 24, 27, 28 or 29.
  • conservative amino acid substitution is the replacement of one amino acid with another amino acid having similar properties, e.g., size, charge, hydrophobicity, hydrophilicity, and/or aromaticity, and includes exchanges within one of the following five groups:
  • charged amino acid or “charged residue” refers to an amino acid that comprises a side chain that is negatively-charged (i.e., de-protonated) or positively-charged (i.e., protonated) in aqueous solution at physiological pH.
  • negatively-charged amino acids include aspartic acid, glutamic acid, cysteic acid, homocysteic acid, and homoglutamic acid
  • positively-charged amino acids include arginine, lysine and histidine.
  • Charged amino acids include the charged amino acids among the 20 coded amino acids, as well as atypical or non-naturally occurring or non-coded amino acids.
  • acidic amino acid refers to an amino acid that comprises a second acidic moiety (other than the carboxylic acid of the amino acid), including for example, a carboxylic acid or sulfonic acid group.
  • acylated amino acid refers to an amino acid comprising an acyl group which is non-native to a naturally-occurring amino acid, regardless of the means by which it is produced (e.g. acylation prior to incorporating the amino acid into a peptide, or acylation after incorporation into a peptide).
  • the C-terminal protecting group may be an amide or ester.
  • the carboxylic acid of the C-terminal amino acid is replaced with a charge-neutral group, such as an amide or ester.
  • the term “selectivity” of a molecule for a first receptor relative to a second receptor refers to the following ratio: EC 50 of the molecule at the second receptor divided by the EC 50 of the molecule at the first receptor. For example, a molecule that has an EC50 of 1 nM at a first receptor and an EC 50 of 100 nM at a second receptor has 100-fold selectivity for the first receptor relative to the second receptor.
  • glucagon potency or “potency compared to native glucagon” of a molecule refers to the inverse ratio of the EC 50 of the molecule at the glucagon receptor divided by the EC 50 of native glucagon at glucagon receptor.
  • compositions comprising a therapeutically effective amount of one or more of the co-agonist peptides disclosed herein for the treatment of a metabolic disorder in an individual.
  • a metabolic disorder include, but are not limited to, obesity, metabolic syndrome or syndrome X, type II diabetes, complications of diabetes such as retinopathy, hypertension, dyslipidemias, cardiovascular disease, gallstones, osteoarthritis, and certain forms of cancers.
  • the obesity-related disorders herein are associated with, caused by, or result from obesity.
  • “Obesity” is a condition in which there is an excess of body fat. The operational definition of obesity is based on the Body Mass Index (BMI), calculated as body weight per height in meters squared (kg/m 2 ). “Obesity” refers to a condition whereby an otherwise healthy subject has a Body Mass Index (BMI) greater than or equal to 30 kg/m 2 , or a condition whereby a subject with at least one co-morbidity has a BMI greater than or equal to 27 kg/m 2 .
  • An “obese subject” is an otherwise healthy subject with a Body Mass Index (BMI) greater than or equal to 30 kg/m 2 or a subject with at least one co-morbidity with a BMI greater than or equal to 27 kg/m 2 .
  • a “subject at risk for obesity” is an otherwise healthy subject with a BMI of 25 kg/m 2 to less than 30 kg/m2 or a subject with at least one co-morbidity with a BMI of 25 kg/m 2 to less than 27 kg/m 2 .
  • a subject with at least one obesity-induced or obesity-related co-morbidity that requires weight reduction or that would be improved by weight reduction has a BMI greater than or equal to 25 kg/m 2 .
  • an “obese subject” refers to a subject with at least one obesity-induced or obesity-related co-morbidity that requires weight reduction or that would be improved by weight reduction, with a BMI greater than or equal to 25 kg/m 2 .
  • a “subject at risk of obesity” is a subject with a BMI of greater than 23 kg/m 2 to less than 25 kg/m 2 .
  • obesity is meant to encompass all of the above definitions of obesity.
  • Obesity-induced or obesity-related co-morbidities include, but are not limited to, diabetes, non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus-type 2, impaired glucose tolerance, impaired fasting glucose, insulin resistance syndrome, dyslipidemia, hypertension, hyperuricacidemia, gout, coronary artery disease, myocardial infarction, angina pectoris, sleep apnea syndrome, Pickwickian syndrome, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), fatty liver; cerebral infarction, cerebral thrombosis, transient ischemic attack, orthopedic disorders, arthritis deformans, lumbodynia, emmeniopathy, and infertility.
  • co-morbidities include: hypertension, hyperlipidemia, dyslipidemia, glucose intolerance, cardiovascular disease, sleep apnea, diabetes mellitus, and other obesity-related conditions.
  • Treatment refers to the administration of the compounds of the present invention to reduce or maintain the body weight of an obese subject.
  • One outcome of treatment may be reducing the body weight of an obese subject relative to that subject's body weight immediately before the administration of the compounds of the present invention.
  • Another outcome of treatment may be preventing body weight regain of body weight previously lost as a result of diet, exercise, or pharmacotherapy.
  • Another outcome of treatment may be decreasing the occurrence of and/or the severity of obesity-related diseases.
  • the treatment may suitably result in a reduction in food or calorie intake by the subject, including a reduction in total food intake, or a reduction of intake of specific components of the diet such as carbohydrates or fats; and/or the inhibition of nutrient absorption; and/or the inhibition of the reduction of metabolic rate; and in weight reduction in patients in need thereof.
  • the treatment may also result in an alteration of metabolic rate, such as an increase in metabolic rate, rather than or in addition to an inhibition of the reduction of metabolic rate; and/or in minimization of the metabolic resistance that normally results from weight loss.
  • Prevention refers to the administration of the compounds of the present invention to reduce or maintain the body weight of a subject at risk of obesity.
  • One outcome of prevention may be reducing the body weight of a subject at risk of obesity relative to that subject's body weight immediately before the administration of the compounds of the present invention.
  • Another outcome of prevention may be preventing body weight regain of body weight previously lost as a result of diet, exercise, or pharmacotherapy.
  • Another outcome of prevention may be preventing obesity from occurring if the treatment is administered prior to the onset of obesity in a subject at risk of obesity.
  • Another outcome of prevention may be decreasing the occurrence and/or severity of obesity-related disorders if the treatment is administered prior to the onset of obesity in a subject at risk of obesity.
  • Such treatment may prevent the occurrence, progression or severity of obesity-related disorders, such as, but not limited to, arteriosclerosis, Type II diabetes, polycystic ovarian disease, cardiovascular diseases, osteoarthritis, dermatological disorders, hypertension, insulin resistance, hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia, and cholelithiasis.
  • the obesity-related disorders herein are associated with, caused by, or result from obesity.
  • obesity-related disorders include overeating and bulimia, hypertension, diabetes, elevated plasma insulin concentrations and insulin resistance, dyslipidemias, hyperlipidemia, endometrial, breast, prostate and colon cancer, osteoarthritis, obstructive sleep apnea, cholelithiasis, gallstones, heart disease, abnormal heart rhythms and arrythmias, myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure, coronary heart disease, sudden death, stroke, polycystic ovarian disease, craniopharyngioma, the Prader-Willi Syndrome, Frohlich's syndrome, GH-deficient subjects, normal variant short stature, Turner's syndrome, and other pathological conditions showing reduced metabolic activity or a decrease in resting energy expenditure as a percentage of total fat-free mass, e.g, children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
  • diabetes includes both insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM, also known as type I diabetes) and non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM, also known as Type II diabetes).
  • IDDM insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus
  • NIDDM non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus
  • Type I diabetes or insulin-dependent diabetes
  • Type II diabetes is the result of an absolute deficiency of insulin, the hormone which regulates glucose utilization.
  • Type II diabetes, or insulin-independent diabetes i.e., non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus
  • Most of the Type II diabetics are also obese.
  • the compounds of the present invention are useful for treating both Type I and Type II diabetes.
  • the compounds are especially effective for treating Type II diabetes.
  • the compounds of the present invention are also useful for treating and/or preventing gestational diabetes mellitus.
  • the co-agonist peptides disclosed herein are insulinotropic and can be administered to patients with a disturbed glucose metabolism such as insulin resistance but no overt diabetes, as well as patients who for any reason cannot receive nutrition through the alimentary canal.
  • patients include surgery patients, comatose patients, patients in shock, patients with gastrointestinal disease, patients with digestive hormone disease, and the like.
  • obese patients atherosclerotic patients, vascular disease patients, patients with gestational diabetes, patients with liver disease such as liver cirrhosis, patients with acromegaly, patients with glucorticoid excess such as cortisol treatment or Cushings disease, patients with activated counterregulatory hormones such as would occur after trauma, accidents and surgery and the like
  • patients with hypertriglyceridemia and patients with chronic pancreatitis can be readily and suitably nourished according to the invention without subjecting the patient to hypo- or hyperglycemia.
  • the administration to such a patient aims to provide a therapy to as rapidly as possible deliver the nutritional and caloric requirements to the patient while maintaining his plasma glucose below the so-called renal threshold of about 160 to 180 milligrams per deciliter of glucose in the blood.
  • renal threshold of about 160 to 180 milligrams per deciliter of glucose in the blood.
  • normal patients not having glucose levels just below the renal threshold can also be treated according to the invention as described above, patients with disturbed glucose metabolism such as hyperglycemic patients whose plasma glucose level is just above the renal threshold also find the therapy suitable for their condition.
  • such patients who have a degree of hyperglycemia below the renal threshold at intermittent intervals can receive a combination treatment of nutrients plus insulinotropic peptides according to any of the following regimens.
  • Normal patients not suffering from such hyperglycemia can also be treated using the peptide analogs disclosed herein.
  • compositions may be used in a pharmaceutical composition when combined with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
  • Such compositions comprise a therapeutically-effective amount of one or more of the co-agonist peptides disclosed herein and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
  • Such a composition may also be comprised of (in addition to the co-agonist peptides disclosed herein and a carrier) diluents, fillers, salts, buffers, stabilizers, solubilizers, and other materials well known in the art.
  • Compositions comprising the co-agonist peptides disclosed herein can be administered, if desired, in the form of salts provided the salts are pharmaceutically acceptable. Salts may be prepared using standard procedures known to those skilled in the art of synthetic organic chemistry.
  • the agent includes, but are not limited to, cannabinoid (CB1) receptor antagonists, glucagon like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists, glucagon receptor antagonists, lipase inhibitors, leptin, tetrahydrolipstatin, 2-4-dinitrophenol, acarbose, sibutramine, phentamine, fat absorption blockers, simvastatin, mevastatin, ezetimibe, atorvastatin, sitagliptin, metformin, orlistat, Qnexa, topiramate, naltrexone, bupriopion, phentermine, losartan, losartan with hydrochlorothiazide, and the like.
  • CBD1 cannabinoid
  • GLP-1 glucagon like peptide 1
  • lipase inhibitors lipase inhibitors
  • leptin tetrahydrolipstatin
  • 2-4-dinitrophenol acarb
  • metformin hydrochloride pioglitazone, rosiglitazone, simvastatin, atorvastatin, or a sulfonylurea.
  • composition which comprises one or more of the following agents:
  • Suitable lipids for liposomal formulation include, without limitation, monoglycerides, diglycerides, sulfatides, lysolecithin, phospholipids, saponin, bile acids, and the like. Preparation of such liposomal formulations is within the level of skill in the art, as disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,837,028 and 4,737,323.
  • the co-agonist peptides disclosed herein can be delivered in a controlled release system including, but not limited to: a delivery pump (See, for example, Saudek, et al., New Engl. J. Med.
  • compositions comprising one or more of the co-agonist peptides disclosed herein which will be effective in the treatment of a particular disorder or condition will depend on the nature of the disorder or condition, and may be determined by standard clinical techniques by those of average skill within the art. In addition, in vitro assays may optionally be employed to help identify optimal dosage ranges. The precise dose to be employed in the formulation will also depend on the route of administration, and the overall seriousness of the disease or disorder, and should be decided according to the judgment of the practitioner and each patient's circumstances. Ultimately, the attending physician will decide the amount of the composition with which to treat each individual patient. Initially, the attending physician will administer low doses of the composition and observe the patient's response. Larger doses of the composition may be administered until the optimal therapeutic effect is obtained for the patient, and at that point the dosage is not increased further.
  • Effective doses may be extrapolated from dose-response curves derived from in vitro or animal model test systems.
  • Suppositories generally contain active ingredient in the range of 0.5% to 10% by weight; oral formulations preferably contain 10% to 95% active ingredient.
  • the attending physician will decide on the appropriate duration of therapy using compositions comprising the one or more co-agonist peptides disclosed herein of the present invention. Dosage will also vary according to the age, weight and response of the individual patient.
  • a pharmaceutical pack or kit comprising one or more containers filled with one or more of the ingredients of the pharmaceutical compositions and co-agonist peptides disclosed herein.
  • Optionally associated with such container(s) may be a notice in the form prescribed by a governmental agency regulating the manufacture, use or sale of pharmaceuticals or biological products, which notice reflects approval by the agency of manufacture, use or sale for human administration.
  • the present invention further provides for the use of any one of the aforementioned peptides for manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of obesity metabolic disease.
  • the present invention further provides for the use of any one of the aforementioned compositions for manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of obesity metabolic disease.
  • the medicament is for treatment of more than one metabolic disease, for example, diabetes and NASH, NAFLD, or obesity; obesity and NASH or NAFLD; diabetes, NASH, and obesity; diabetes, NAFLD, and obesity; or diabetes and obesity.
  • metabolic disease for example, diabetes and NASH, NAFLD, or obesity; obesity and NASH or NAFLD; diabetes, NASH, and obesity; diabetes, NAFLD, and obesity; or diabetes and obesity.
  • the composition comprising the co-agonist peptide is administered at a time prior to the time the composition comprising the insulin or insulin analog is administered. In another aspect, the composition comprising the insulin or insulin analog is administered at a time prior to the time the composition comprising the co-agonist peptide is administered. In a further still aspect, the composition comprising the co-agonist peptide is administered at the same time as the composition comprising the insulin or insulin analog is administered.
  • the metabolic disease is diabetes, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), or obesity.
  • NAFLD non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
  • NASH non-alcoholic steatohepatitis
  • the diabetes is Type I diabetes, Type II diabetes, or gestational diabetes.
  • the patient has more than one metabolic disease, for example, diabetes and NASH, NAFLD, or obesity; obesity and NASH or NAFLD; diabetes, NASH, and obesity; diabetes, NAFLD, and obesity; or diabetes and obesity.
  • metabolic disease for example, diabetes and NASH, NAFLD, or obesity; obesity and NASH or NAFLD; diabetes, NASH, and obesity; diabetes, NAFLD, and obesity; or diabetes and obesity.
  • the present invention further provides a composition comprising any one of the aforementioned peptides; an insulin or insulin analog; and, a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
  • the present invention further provides for the use of a composition comprising any one of the aforementioned peptides; an insulin or insulin analog; and, a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier for the treatment of a metabolic disease.
  • the metabolic disease is diabetes, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), or obesity.
  • the diabetes is Type I diabetes, Type II diabetes, or gestational diabetes.
  • reaction schemes and Examples illustrate methods which may be employed for the synthesis of the peptides of the present invention, using appropriate materials. These reaction schemes and Examples are provided for the purpose of illustration only and are not to be construed as limitations on the disclosed invention. Those skilled in the art will readily understand that known variations of protecting groups, as well as of the conditions and processes of the following preparative procedures, can be used to prepare these peptides. Starting materials are either commercially available or made by known procedures in the literature or as illustrated. All temperatures are degrees Celsius unless otherwise noted.
  • the peptides in Table 1 were synthesized by solid phase using using Fmoc/tBu strategy on a Rink-amide PEG-PS resin, Champion (Biosearch Technologies (150 ⁇ mol, loading 0.28 mmol/g) on a Symphony Protein Technologies Inc synthesizer.
  • All of the amino acids were dissolved at a 0.3 M concentration in a solution of 0.3M HOBt (Hydroxybenzotriazole) in DMF.
  • the amino acids were activated with equimolar amounts of HATU (O-(7-azabenzotriazol-1-yl)-N,N,N′,N′-tetramethyluronium hexafluorophosphate) and a 2-fold molar excess of DIEA (diisopropylethylammine) solution 2M in NMP.
  • the acylation reactions were performed for 1 hour with 5-fold excess of activated amino acid over the resin free amino groups.
  • Double acylation reactions of 45 minutes were performed from His 1 to Thr 7 , and for amino acids at positions 15, 16, 22, 23.
  • the N-terminal residue was incorporated as Boc-His(Trt)-OH.
  • the Lysine at position 10 was protected by the orthogonal Dde [1-(4,4-dimethyl-2,6-dioxocyclohex-1-ylidene)ethyl] protecting group.
  • the Dde protecting group of Lys 10 was removed by treatment with a solution of 2% hydrazine in DMF and side chain derivatization was accomplished by manual coupling of Fmoc-Glu-OtBu residues and palmitic acid activated with DIC and HOAt.
  • the dry peptide-resins were treated for 2 hours at room temperature with 88% TFA, 5% phenol, 2% triisopropylsilane and 5% water to afford protecting groups deprotection and cleavage from resin.
  • the solution was filtered to remove the resin and the crude peptide solution was precipitated in cold methyl tert-butyl ether.
  • the peptide pellet was resuspended, washed and centrifuged in cold methyl tert-butyl ether for 2 times. The peptide pellet was dried under vacuum and then resuspended in H 2 O, 20% acetonitrile, and lyophilized.
  • the crude peptides with Sequence ID Nos: 6-28 (100 mg in 2 ml of DMSO) were purified by reverse-phase HPLC using preparative Waters Deltapak C4 column (40 ⁇ 200 mm, 15 ⁇ m, 300 ⁇ acute over ( ⁇ ) ⁇ ) and using as eluents (A) 0.1% TFA in water and (B) 0.1% TFA in acetonitrile in order to obtain pure linear peptides.
  • sequences ID No: 6-27 the formation of the triazole cycle between side chains of D-propargyl-Gly and the 6-azido-L-Norleucine was performed by incubating the purified non cyclic precursors in H 2 O/t-BuOH 2:1 (1 mg/ml) with CuSO 4 and sodium ascorbate at room temperature for 5 minutes. After removal of t-BuOH and acidification with TFA, the reaction mixture was purified by reverse-phase preparative on Reprosil Gold C18 column (20 ⁇ 150 mm, 5 ⁇ m, 100 ⁇ acute over ( ⁇ ) ⁇ ) using as eluents (A) 0.1% TFA in water and (B) 0.1% TFA in acetonitrile.
  • the peptide of SEQ ID No. 19 was synthesized by solid phase synthesis using Fmoc/t-Bu chemistry on a peptide multisynthesizer Symphony (Protein Technologies Inc.) on a 180 ⁇ mol scale, using a Rink-amide PS resin (Novabiochem, loading 0.35 mmol/g).
  • acylation reactions were performed in general for 1 hour with a 5-fold excess of activated amino acid over the resin free amino groups with double 45 minutes acylation reactions performed from His1 to Thr7, for Asp15 and Aib16 from F22 to V23.
  • the side chain protecting groups were: tert-butyl for Glu, Ser, Thr and Tyr; trityl for Asn, Gln and His; tert-butoxy-carbonyl for Lys, Trp; and, 2,2,4,6,7-pentamethyldihydrobenzofuran-5-sulfonyl for Arg; His was introduced as Boc-His(Trt)-OH at the end of the sequence assembly.
  • the lysine used for linker-lipid derivatization was incorporated with a Dde [1-(4,4-dimethyl-2,6-dioxocyclohex-1-ylidene)ethyl] protecting group on the side chain of amino group.
  • the amino acids used for triazole bridge formation were introduced by acylation of Fmoc-L-norleucine-azide-COOH and Fmoc-D-propargyl Gly-COOH.
  • the Dde protecting group of Lys(Dde) was removed by treatment of 2% hydrazine in DMF.
  • the side chain of Lys was derivatized first with Fmoc-Glu-OtBu ( ⁇ -glutamic acid) and then with palmitic acid using HOAt and DIC as activators in DMF.
  • the dry peptide-resins were individually treated with 25 mL of the cleavage mixture: 88% TFA, 5% phenol, 2% triisopropylsilane and 5% water for 1.5 hours at room temperature. Each resin was filtered and then added to cold methyl-t-butyl ether in order to precipitate the peptide. After centrifugation, the peptide pellets were washed with fresh cold methyl-t-butyl ether to remove the organic scavengers. The process was repeated twice. Final pellets were dried, resuspended in H 2 O, 20% acetonitrile, and lyophilized.
  • the crude peptide (200 mg in 2.5 ml of DMSO) was purified by reverse-phase HPLC using preparative Waters Deltapack C4 (40 ⁇ 200 mm, 15 ⁇ m, 300 ⁇ acute over ( ⁇ ) ⁇ ) and using as eluents (A) 0.1% TFA in water and (B) 0.1% TFA in acetonitrile.
  • the following gradient of eluent B was used: 35% B to 35% B over 5 min, 35% B to 55% B over 25 min-80% B, flow rate 80 mL/min, wavelength 214 nm.
  • the crude peptide was purified by reverse-phase HPLC using preparative Waters Deltapak C4 (40 ⁇ 200 mm, 15 ⁇ m, 300 ⁇ acute over ( ⁇ ) ⁇ ) and using as eluents (A) 0.1% TFA in water and (B) 0.1% TFA in acetonitrile 30% B to 30% B over 5 min, 30% B to 50% B over 25 min-80% B, flow rate 80 mL/min, wavelength 214 nm.
  • the final peptide was characterized on an Acquity UPLC Waters Chromatograph, with BEH130 C4 Acquity Waters 2.1 ⁇ 100 mm, 1.7 ⁇ m, at 45° C., using H 2 O, 0.1% TFA (A) and CH 3 CN, 0.1% TFA (B) as solvents.
  • the peptide was characterized by electrospray mass spectrometry on a Acquity SQ Detector (MW found: 3843.41 Da; MW expected: 3843.30).
  • GCGR Glucagon receptor
  • GLP1R GLP-1 receptor
  • the peptides of the present invention have EC 50 values at each of the glucagon and GLP-1 receptors that are less than 5 nM.
  • the peptides in SEQ ID Nos. 6-28 have the specific glucagon receptor EC 50 values, and GLP-1 receptor EC 50 values shown in Table 2.
  • the physical stability of the stapled peptides may be tested in a Thioflavin T Assay (Schlein, Morten; The AAPS Journal, Vol. 19, No. 2, March 2017)) to determine the amount of time before fibril formation commences.

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